Cougar bowlers capture opener

From staff reports
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Published: December 7, 2017

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The Hazleton Area bowling teams swept past Mifflin County in Tuesday’s home and season opener at Bowl Arena.

The varsity boys posted a 2,798-2,518 victory, while the varsity girls rolled to a 2,425-1,718 win. Meanwhile, the Hazleton Area junior varsity boys beat Mifflin County 2,210-1,975, and the jayvee girls won by forfeit.

In the varsity boys contest, Christopher Nahay led the way with the team’s high game (263) and series (698), with Gavin Lehman notching the second-highest game (214) and series (599).

Also for the Cougars, Ryan Walker chipped in with a 208-562, and teammates David Stratchko (181), Josh Hagenbaugh (178) and Julian Smith (158) contributing solid games.

For the Lady Cougars, Samantha Walsh had the top game (194) and Jenna Rapach the top series (558). Rapach’s high game was a 193, and Walsh finished with a 534 series.

In addition, Jillian Brown rolled a 184 game and 502 series, while Emilee James (154), Emily Harman (145) and Savanna McCracken (146) turned in solid games.

The win was the second straight for the local Lions, who improved to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in conference.

After Worthington Scranton jumped out to a 13-6 lead early, the local Lions responded with a 24-8 run to take a lead they would never relinquish, dealing the hosts their seventh straight loss.

Royce Brathwaite contributed 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and Robbie Hopkins had 12 points and seven assists for Penn State Hazleton, which shot 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from beyond the arc. Matt Manbeck came off the bench to score 10 points and grab eight rebounds for the winners.

The local Lions will be back in action Friday, facing host King’s College in the two-day Monarch Classic in Wilkes-Barre.

Penn State Hazleton’s women bounced back from a slow start to run away from Penn State Worthington Scranton on Tuesday night, giving the local Lady Lions their second straight win in PSUAC play.

Lauren Pataki came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points, sparking a second-quarter rally that put the Lady Lions in front to stay.

Worthington Scranton came out hot and led 21-19 after one quarter. But two Pataki 3-pointers and key buckets from Sam Varela, Mckenzie Prutsman and Shelby Berger helped spark a 25-12 run that gave PSU-Hazleton a 44-33 halftime lead.

The local Lady Lions outscored their hosts 25-14 in the third quarter to put the game away.

Pataki, who went 7-of-7 at the free throw line, also grabbed six rebounds and dished three assists in 15 minutes off the bench. She was one of five PSU-Hazleton players in double figures. Kendra Pfeil scored 16, including three triples, Berger had 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, and Prutsman and Varela added 12 points apiece.

Monique Hicks paced Worthington Scranton with 16 points, and Jenna Pacella had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Penn State Hazleton (4-3, 2-2) will be at SUNY-Delhi for a non-conference game on Friday.

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